QA Focus – Supporting JISC's 5/99 Programme Introduction to Quality and its Importance Marieke Guy UKOLN

QA Focus – Supporting JISC's 5/99 Programme What is Quality? There are so many definitions for Quality. Quality is….. Based on judgments by an individual or organisation Fitness for purpose Corresponds to a rating Based on acceptable performance Meeting goals Meeting requirements

QA Focus – Supporting JISC's 5/99 Programme What is Quality? Quality is the ability of your product to be able to satisfy your users What is Quality Assurance? Quality Assurance is the process that demonstrates your product is able to satisfy your users What is Quality Assurance?

QA Focus – Supporting JISC's 5/99 Programme What is the aim of Quality Assurance? When good Quality Assurance is implemented there should be improvement in usability and performance and lessening rates of defects What is the Aim of QA?

QA Focus – Supporting JISC's 5/99 Programme What does QA give? Quality means your project is useful - without quality you may have little to offer Quality can help to future-proof projects But quality assurance needs documented standards and best practices to be meaningful Quality & Best Practice can be considered in terms of being Fit for Purpose

QA Focus – Supporting JISC's 5/99 Programme Why is QA needed? In the past JISC had standards-based philosophy but: Approach of "let a 1,000 flowers bloom" Diversification as no killer application Things are different now: The Web is the killer application There is now a need for interoperability (now self-contained independent Web sites) There is a need for publicly-funded services to be seen to provide value for money

QA Focus – Supporting JISC's 5/99 Programme What is Quality Control? Quality Control (QC) is the implementation of regular testing procedures against your definitions of quality and more specifically the refinement of these procedures Formal use of testing Acting on the results of your tests Requires planning, structured tests, good documentation Relates to output - Quality Circle Standards - ISO 9000 & BS5750 however there is currently no such standard for Web sites

QA Focus – Supporting JISC's 5/99 Programme The Quality Cycle Refine site Quality Control Quality Assurance Quality output input Test results Create site Test site

QA Focus – Supporting JISC's 5/99 Programme Exercise 2 In small groups carry out Exercise 2: QA Approaches to Identified Problems

QA Focus – Supporting JISC's 5/99 Programme Questions Any questions?